Code Name: Johnny Walker: the Extraordinary Story of the Iraqi Who Risked Everything to Fight with the U.s. Navy Seals

Publisher Marketing: In this illuminating and informative memoir, an Iraqi translator who risked his life working with Navy SEAL and "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle tells his remarkable and inspiring story, offering a refreshing new perspective on the Iraq War A translator for the American military during the Iraq War, Johnny Walker is a true hero a paragon of bravery and unwavering dedication who played a crucial role aiding Americans in the conflict. Devoted to establishing freedom and democracy in his country, he helped soldiers like Chris Kyle and his SEAL team navigate the language barrier and unfamiliar cultural terrain, sometimes even fighting beside them. Thanks to Johnny Walker, US forces successfully executed a number of operations, and his contributions, including providing crucial intelligence, saved numerous American lives. But it was a job that made him and his family targets for both Iraqi fighters and foreign terrorists. To survive, they fled their homeland and today live in California, where Johnny Walker continues to work with the military, training new SEALs. "Code Name: Johnny Walker" is his memoir a stirring tale of courage and convictions, brotherhood and blood, love and war. Featuring the vivid imagery and gritty down-to-earth appeal of the "New York Times "bestseller "American Sniper," it adds a fascinating and insightful new dimension to the history of the Iraq War. Review Citations: Library Journal Prepub Alert 09/01/2013 pg. 87 (EAN 9780062267559, Hardcover) Kirkus Reviews 01/15/2014 (EAN 9780062267559, Hardcover) Publishers Weekly 03/24/2014 (EAN 9780062267559, Hardcover) Contributor Bio:  Walker, Johnny After the 2003 invasion of his home country, Iraqi-born "Johnny Walker" applied to become a translator for the U. S. Army. Turned down, out of work, and desperate to feed his family, Johnny was on the verge of despair until one night he interceded in a dispute between some Iraqi women and Ameri-can MPs. Impressed, the MPs arranged to hire him as their interpreter, or "terp." Johnny displayed such talent and incredible courage under fire that several months later an elite unit of Navy SEALs took him under its wing. He quickly became the most sought-after terp in the country, receiving numerous citations and commendations for his work. Credited by SEAL sniper Chris Kyle with saving countless American lives, Johnny spent six years working with SEALs and other special operations forces throughout Iraq, completing more than one thousand missions. After narrowly escaping two attempts on his life, Johnny was helped to the United States by the SEALs in 2009. He and his family currently live in California, where he helps train special operations units. Contributor Bio:  Ganim, Peter PETER GANIM is an award-winning stage, film and television actor and the narrator of over 100 audiobooks. He lives in New York City.